Depression and Anti-Depressants??

[Freedom]

It IS tough to find one that works. And when one poops out (had that happen too) it is he** trying to cope with depression AND find a med AND a doctor AND on and on and on.

Not much to suggest, just can sympathize, been there.

[buckner]

First, let me just say that I'm sorry that you had such a crappy doctor!! There is nothing worse than a doctor who couldn't give a squat less about you.

While I know that each person is different, and different medicines work for different people, I will always swear by Lexapro. I, too, was on Zoloft a year or so ago, and ended up HATING it. Not only did it get rid of the "depression", but it got rid of all my emotions all together. I felt nothing. No happiness, no sadness, nothing. I didn't care. So I took myself off, and things got back to normal and my depression was in full swing. That's when I went back to my doctor who suggested Lexapro. And ironically enough, that's what both my parents take and my brother takes. My dad and brother take it for anxiety and my mom takes it for depression. I have nothing but good things to say about it. It's personally a lifesaver, and I am not only my old self again, but I am a BETTER person living a much better and healthier life.

[moosmom]

Jen,

I've been on MANY anti-depressants over the years. Zoloft quit on me as well, so the doctor switched me to Effexor. BAAAAAAAD news that Effexor. Then I was put on Paxil for many years till it stopped working. I'm now on Celexa and it's working great.

Finding an anti-depressant that works for you is a crap shoot. The doctors have to try different ones, different doses, etc. until one works.

Karen is right. Be careful using Black Cohosh or any kind of all natural supplements. It can intereact with any meds you are presently on.

((((((HUGS)))))))

Donna

[trayi52]

Please do be careful with what you do take. I am Bi-polar, and I am on several different meds for it. I can tell you what works for me for depression. I can tell you you what has worked for me for my disease. I am on Xanax, cymbalta, Celexa, Topamax, Abilify, Trazadone, and Lititium. They work for me. Celexa, would probably be good for a normal person with depression.

I hope you get help for you depression, I really do know how that feels. I will be praying for you.

Willie

[Catlady711]

I've been on most of the major name brands of anti-depressants myself with almost no changes or bad side effects, one tranquilizer and have been through several councelors, a psychiatrist (not a very good one) and a few psycologists. My dr. finally gave up and gave me a referal to a specialist who is supposed to work with both medications and behavioral modification stuff, however I'm in the same boat on insurance, mine won't cover the specialist. I've finally gotten to the point that I don't take any meds, I pray alot, and just have to live with the fact I guess I'll be like this until I get rich or specialists get cheaper.

I wish there was something I could say that could help you out, or a phone number or something I could give you that would steer you in the right direction, but unfortunately I'm at a loss. I do want you to know I totally understand what you are going through though. *HUGS*

[Catty1]

Jenn - I hope the DPW knows a counsellor who will accept your insurance.

RE ST JOHN'S WORT - My doctor had me stay OFF that for a FULL month before starting my Celexa. It was a looong month...but the interactions could have been nasty.

We North Americans tend to think that "natural" means "neutral".

Some natural things that aren't: thunderstorms, earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes....you get the idea.

Celexa has worked well for me.

[JenBKR]

Oh Jenn, I completely know what you are going through. I started out on Prozac, which worked for a while but then quit on me (as it does tend to do for many). I switched to Effexor, which worked well for me for several years. I tried to go completely off everything when I wanted to get pregnant. I was anti-depressant-less for about 2 months and about as miserable as I could get. I talked to the doctor about it and she said I could take Prozac throughout my pregnancy, so I went back on that. Seems to be working ok. Soon I have to switch to Zoloft, which is the safest to take when breastfeeding. I have been lucky that the meds worked for me. My mother, on the other hand, went through many different medications before she found something that worked. She ended up on a couple different kinds (can't remember what they all are) but that seems to be working. I know it's discouraging to keep trying meds that aren't working, but keep trying them! Something out there will work, you may just have to try different meds and doses.

There are cases of people commiting suicide while on anti-depressants, and having suicidal thoughts. Usually this happens because the person is on the wrong medication or dose. They think that since the medication isn't making them all better that they will never feel better and why bother living? Don't give up, there is something out there that works for you. ((((hugs)))) I am here if you ever need to talk!